EDEN Hazard’s second-half strike denied Cherries a third win on the spin as Chelsea took maximum points at Vitality Stadium.

In a contest dominated by the visitors, Belgian star Hazard profited from a Simon Francis mis-kick to slam past Asmir Begovic on the goalkeeper’s 200th Premier League appearance.

A 1-0 victory did not flatter the Blues, who enjoyed greater possession and more chances, although Cherries cranked up the pressure late on.

The Dorset side remain in the drop zone and now face a hugely important trip to Newcastle United in seven days’ time, with boss Eddie Howe contending with injuries to Junior Stanislas and Benik Afobe after both were forced off.

Howe made two changes to the side which had secured a first away league win of the season at Stoke City in their previous top flight fixture.

Jermain Defoe returned following two games out due to a hamstring problem, with France under-21 international Lys Mousset making way.

Defender Steve Cook replaced winger Jordon Ibe as Cherries shifted to a three-man central defence.

Joshua King and Ryan Fraser, who were both injury doubts, did not make the bench but Callum Wilson was included among the substitutes following his scoring return against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.

Cherries acquitted themselves well in the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who had the first chance in the ninth minute.

Cesc Fabregas fed Pedro and the Spanish winger scampered away from Nathan Ake before lashing well over the bar from a central position. A decent chance wasted.

Cherries had one of their own not long after, the tenacity of Adam Smith playing a key role in a well-worked counter-attack.

When the ball found its way to Afobe, he slightly overhit his pass to the overlapping Charlie Daniels. With the angle too tight to shoot, Daniels pulled the ball back and Afobe’s effort was charged down by David Luiz.

Chelsea should have taken the lead midway through the half following a couple of errors from the home side.

First, Lewis Cook put Francis in trouble with a heavy pass and although the skipper recovered to play back to Begovic, the keeper’s kick was scuffed.

Hazard immediately played in £60million striker Alvaro Morata, who inexplicably placed wide when he should have scored.

The chances started to rack up. Tiemoue Bakayoko headed straight at Begovic and Morata had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside – Azpilicueta the wronged party – before Davide Zappacosta’s drive deflected behind.

It took a superb save from Begovic to deny Morata after he had spun away from defenders, the towering Bosnian making himself big and blocking the low effort with his left hand.

Steve Cook made an heroic double block with the interval looming and there was still time for Marcos Alonso to head off target from Pedro’s deep cross.

Ibe replaced Defoe for the second period, the former Tottenham man having enjoyed little service in the opening 45 minutes. Cherries switched to a 5-4-1 formation with Afobe up top on his own.

Lewis Cook was not shy in trying his luck from range four minutes into the second half, the midfielder’s rocket rising clear of the bar.

In the 51st minute, Chelsea profited from a defensive error to forge ahead. Morata chipped an angled ball in behind and skipper Francis only hit fresh air in attempting to clear, allowing Hazard – the best player on the pitch – to swipe past Begovic at his near post.

Cherries had an immediate chance to hit back thanks to good work from Stanislas. But after Ibe lashed goalwards, Antonio Rudiger got a toe in to block and the ball flew over for a corner.

The home side suffered a further body blow when Stanislas appeared to sustain a groin injury and was immediately brought off for Marc Pugh.

And Chelsea should have doubled their advantage after Hazard exchanged passes with Pedro, only to smash over from a presentable position in the box.

Begovic dealt with a regulation effort from Pedro in the 68th minute, preceding a passage of play in which Cherries began to commit more men forward.

But that was halted when Afobe was forced off through injury, paving the way for Wilson to enter the fray for his first Premier League appearance since January.

The popular striker almost got Cherries on level terms within seconds of coming on but his shot was superbly blocked.

Chances were few in the closing stages, Fabregas going close when he directed high and wide from an acute angle after being teed up by Hazard.

Steve Cook shot straight at Thibaut Courtois in stoppage-time, that being Cherries’ first shot on target.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries (5-3-1-1): Begovic; A Smith, Francis, Ake, S Cook, Daniels; L Cook, Surman, Stanislas (Pugh, 62); Afobe (Wilson, 74); Defoe (Ibe, h-t).

Unused subs: Gosling, Arter, Mousset, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: A Smith, Francis.

Chelsea (5-2-3): Courtois; Zappacosta, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso; Bakayoko, Fabregas; Pedro (Drinkwater, 79), Morata (Batshuayi, 79), Hazard (Willian, 84).

Unused subs: Cahill, Christensen, Ampadu, Caballero (g/k).

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).